FIGHT LOOMS OVER USDA ORGANICS LABEL

WASHINGTON (FNS) -- Organic food retailers and several industry trade associations said last week they will fight any attempts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that would officially label irradiated, genetically altered or sludge-treated foods as "organic."The USDA last week proposed national standards for labeling organic products, but organics industry executives said those standards run afoul

WASHINGTON (FNS) -- Organic food retailers and several industry trade associations said last week they will fight any attempts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that would officially label irradiated, genetically altered or sludge-treated foods as "organic."

The USDA last week proposed national standards for labeling organic products, but organics industry executives said those standards run afoul of the traditional industry definition of organic.